Jury Selection Begins for Ringleader of $250M Pandemic Fraud Scheme
The Big Picture
Jury selection begins Monday in the trial of the alleged ringleader of a scheme to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic that federal prosecutors say stole $250 million from a program meant to feed children, the latest chapter in a broader case that has also included an attempt to bribe a juror and political repercussions against Gov. Tim Walz.
But the attorney for Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding our Future — the group that prosecutors say was at the heart of the plot — insists that she’s innocent.
How it Works
Federal prosecutors allege that the conspiracy revolved around two groups — Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition — that were both small nonprofits that were approved as sponsors of the Federal Child Nutrition Program before the pandemic. But the two groups dramatically increased the number of meal sites that they claimed to be sponsoring during the pandemic. Feeding Our Future went from receiving and disbursing $3.4 million in federal funds in 2019 to nearly $200 million in 2021. Sites sponsored by Feeding Our Future falsely claimed to be serving thousands of children daily, prosecutors allege.
“In all, Feeding Our Future fraudulently obtained and disbursed more than $240 million in Federal Child Nutrition Program funds during the Covid-19 pandemic,” prosecutors wrote in a preview of their case this month. The total included administrative fees to which Feeding Our Future was not entitled, they said.
The Defense
Bock’s attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, said they’ll argue at trial that she’s not guilty of the federal fraud, conspiracy and bribery charges against her.
“She’s innocent and she’s going to express that belief, that truth, until the day she dies,” Udoibok said in an interview last week. “This woman was hoodwinked, played by people she trusted. She trusted that these people that have pled guilty, she trusted them to have delivered food to needy children, needy people, deserving folks. And they played her.”
The Bribe
Five people were charged with bribery because of the attempt in the first trial, including three who were on trial at the time. Two of the five have already pleaded guilty, while one more is scheduled to change his plea to guilty in the bribery case in March. U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger described the elaborate scheme as “something out of a mob movie.”
The Political Repercussions
The federal money flowed through the state Department of Education, and the loss of 250 million taxpayer dollars became a major political problem for Democratic Gov. Tim Walz. His administration largely blamed federal authorities, saying the FBI asked them not to cut off the flow of funds to protect its investigation. Walz’s critics insist he should have done more. While Walz comfortably won reelection in 2022, the issue resurfaced after presidential candidate Kamala Harris picked him as her running mate.
Conclusion
Jury selection is set to begin Monday in the trial of the alleged ringleader of a scheme to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic. The case is expected to last around six weeks and will involve the prosecution of Aimee Bock, the founder of Feeding our Future, and her co-defendant, Salim Ahmed Said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the alleged scheme?
A: The alleged scheme involved the theft of $250 million from a program meant to feed children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme was carried out by two groups, Feeding Our Future and Partners in Nutrition, which were both small nonprofits that were approved as sponsors of the Federal Child Nutrition Program before the pandemic.
Q: Who is Aimee Bock?
A: Aimee Bock is the founder of Feeding our Future, the group that prosecutors say was at the heart of the plot. Her attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, says she is innocent and will argue at trial that she was hoodwinked by people she trusted.
Q: What is the significance of this case?
A: The case is significant because it is one of the largest COVID-19-related fraud cases in the country, and it has resulted in the conviction of five people and the charging of 70 defendants. It has also led to political repercussions against Gov. Tim Walz and has highlighted the need for greater oversight and accountability in government programs.
